"Tell me a story. Please!"

Hermione sighed. Rue had been asking for a story for probably the tenth time now. She said she needed something to distract herself and to calm her nerves. And who can blame her? What they were doing is kind of risky. The tables were turned; they were playing offense now.

"For the tenth time Rue, I can't. Someone will hear us. Then we'll be in more danger," Hermione replied. It's been ten minutes since they lighted the first fire. Katniss developed a plan against the Careers that involves taking away from them their very means of survival: their mountain of food and supplies. While Katniss was situated at the Career's camp, Hermione and Rue would be starting fires in three different locations to distract their adversary.

"Then we'll be real quiet."

Hermione gave in. "Okay, fine. But keep your guard and be alert." Hermione paused for a moment; deciding on what story to tell her. "This story," she whispered as quietly as she could, "is about a girl who loves to read. She works hard and studies diligently so she can get high grades. One day, a red-haired boy was jealous of her because she had successfully accomplished the… task given to them by their Professor while he didn't. You see, this boy wasn't very smart so—Ow!"

A ball of mud hit Hermione on the back of her head. The two girls swiftly turned around, expecting to see one of the other tributes. But there was no one there. With eyes shooting all over the place in search of the culprit and with their hearts thumping wildly in their chests, Hermione and Rue cautiously backed away with wand and knife in front of them. Five paces—no one showed up. Ten paces—still, no one. Fifteen—they were kind of far now. Twenty—they broke for a run.

"Looks like that's all for storytelling for today," Hermione said.

"At least it was not a knife," Rue replied.

"Yeah…" They slowed down to a walking pace. No one was after them. Why was it a ball of mud and not a knife? Why didn't they see anyone? Why wasn't anyone chasing them now? All these questions raced in Hermione's head and it all went back to the voice that she heard yesterday. Something was going on here…

"Hermione, it's the second fire," Rue said. She started picking up some sticks and got to work.

"We'd better hurry. I've got a feeling the Career's are on our trail already," Hermione said as she went to help.

"Yeah, me too." A few whiffs of smoke rose to the sky. "I wonder how Katniss is doing."

"I believe she's safe from flying mudballs."

Rue laughed. Fire licked up the pile of green wood and dead leaves and the smoke thickened as it rose above the trees. "Let's head to the third fire."

Hermione nodded and they headed to the next location.

A few minutes after carefully trudging through roots, plants, and undergrowth, a loud explosion erupted from the lake. Hermione started and turned to her companion. "What was that?"

"That was probably Katniss! I hope she's okay."

"She's done it," Hermione said as she looked to the direction of the lake. "Looks like we're done here. Let's go and head to the agreed meeting place."

"Wait. Let's first send her a signal." Rue looked around her. "Mockingjay… mockingjay…"

"Look! There's one!" Hermione said, pointing high above them.

"Hmm… Must be nice to be able to fly…"

"No, it's not," Hermione said to herself, remembering her attempts at a broom. Rue hummed her four note tune. The mockingjay paused and relayed it. Then another mockingjay, a little far off, repeated melody. Pretty soon, the forest around them was filled with the melodious song of the birds. Hermione and Rue waited. Even after the mockingjays' song died, they still didn't hear the response they were hoping for.

"Why isn't Katniss singing back?" Rue said worriedly. "Let's go to the lake. She might need our help."

Hermione followed her for a second before stopping and grabbing Rue's arm. "Wait! Didn't Katniss tell us earlier this morning that no matter what happens, we should head to the meeting place?"

Rue looked distressed and was caught between two choices. "Yes, but she might be in danger!"

Among the foliage to their right, there were some scuffling noises. The two girls forgot what they were talking about and hid behind a tree. They couldn't see him, but they could hear him.

"I can't believe this! Blasted Cato! Who does he think I am? Some sidekick? Making me wait here and look for the fire starter while he goes back with Clove…" The voice trailed off farther into the forest. It disappeared before Hermione nor Rue could do anything.

"What was that?" Rue asked.

"I think it's the boy from District 1. We'd better be more careful while going around in these parts."

Rue nodded. "It's getting dark already. The lake's too far and besides, there's no canon. I think we'd better retire for the night first," she whispered.

"I second that," Hermione said as she began to climb the tree they were hiding behind. It was sturdy and it had enough leaves to provide concealment.

After choosing a good fork in the tree, Hermione took her place beside Rue in Katniss' sleeping bag. "This sleeping bag is really useful," Hermione said. "The nights here in the arena are way too cold."

Before Rue could say anything, a canon sounded clearly through the arena. Both of the girls' hearts skipped a beat and they looked at each other with panic in their eyes. No one had to say anything. They would just have to wait for tonight; when the faces of the dead would be shown across the sky.

After some time, the seal of the Capitol hovered in the sky. The anthem played. Holding their breaths, Hermione and Rue saw the face of Terry Copper, the boy from District 3, among the stars. Then it went black.

A sigh of relief escaped from both girls. But Hermione felt dread. Though she didn't know Terry all too well, images of their little conversations played in her mind. How could they stand all this death and cruelty? Surely Panem is tired of watching these events being played to them. Nevertheless, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Hermione opened her eyes. It was a little late now and yet Rue was still asleep beside her. She shook her awake and they carefully packed their things again and landed on the ground.

"Let's see…" Hermione said while examining the contents of her pack. "All we have left is some groosling and a few roots. It'll be good for one meal." The two of them ate and immediately started on their trek to the agreed meeting place.

A little farther off, Hermione's hand went to her pocket. "Hold on," Hermione said. "I think I dropped something." She went back through the foliage and picked up her knife that must have fallen off. But there was something else on the ground. Hermione looked closely and saw that it was a piece of rope.

Suddenly, huge arms locked her from behind. Hermione gasped, unable to move. She tried to make a sound to warn Rue but all she managed was a small whimpering sound. She turned her head and saw the boy from District 1. He had a mean smile on his face. "Gotcha," he said.

One of his arms was able to hold her from behind while the other one held a knife to her chest. Then the boy, without second thoughts, thrust the knife into her heart. Fortunately, Hermione was able to dodge it. It didn't hit her heart but she was still stabbed near the chest. He let her go and walked to the direction Hermione came from. Collapsing to the ground, with one hand trying to staunch her wound, Hermione heard Rue's song echoed by the mockingjays all around her. Then the song was repeated. Katniss must be nearby, Hermione thought. Half walking, half crawling, she made her way to Rue. Then she heard her scream.

"Hermione! Katniss!"

Hermione quickly brushed aside a huge leaf blocking her path. And there, in front of her was Rue, entangled in a net made from the same rope she saw earlier. Across from her was Katniss. Before anyone could do anything, the spear from the boy entered Rue's body. Then Katniss' arrow found the boy before he could pull out his spear.

Katniss rearmed herself and shouted, "Are there more? Are there more?" Rue had to say no many times before she could hear it.

"Rue!" Hermione croaked as she staggered to the scene. She sat beside Rue and pushed away the body of the boy from District 1. Katniss cut away the net. Rue's wound was obviously fatal.

"You blew up the food?" Rue whispered.

"Every last bit," Katniss said. The canon of the boy from District 1 sounded.

"I'm sorry," Hermione finally said. "I'm sorry that I… I…"

Rue held a hand up as if to stop her. "It's okay. Neither of us would've been able to stop it. You're wounded too." Her gaze dropped to Hermione's bloody shirt. Tears started flowing down Hermione's eyes.

"Hermione…" Rue said after a few moments of silent grief. "…finish the story."

Hermione held Rue's hand. "Well… the boy insulted the girl so she went crying in the girl's bathroom. This was why she didn't hear about… about the troll. Courage brought the boy and his friend to save her and fight the troll even though they knew the risk. Because of that, it started a beautiful and lasting friendship."

Rue smiled. "It's a beautiful story." She drew a breath. Her life was slowly escaping her. "Katniss… sing."

Katniss looked confused; but as it was the young girl's last request, she swallowed and started to sing.

Hermione had never heard the song before; but she thought it was beautiful. Her tears flow silently. After the last lines, Rue's canon sounded.